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Gillian Anderson, who played Dana Scully in the '90s TV series 'The X-Files,' said she purchased this traditional country estate 'on a whim' in 2008 after it had lain abandoned for 30 years. The property sits on seven acres and is bordered by a coconut plantation and a jungle.

Gillian Anderson, who played Dana Scully in the '90s TV series 'The X-Files,' said she purchased this traditional country estate 'on a whim' in 2008 after it had lain abandoned for 30 years. The property sits on seven acres and is bordered by a coconut plantation and a jungle.

The home was built in the 1930s and is located in the secluded hills of western Sri Lanka. Ms. Anderson, whose primary home is in London, said she restored it from scratch based on 'what the house asked for.' The restoration took three years.

The home was built in the 1930s and is located in the secluded hills of western Sri Lanka. Ms. Anderson, whose primary home is in London, said she restored it from scratch based on 'what the house asked for.' The restoration took three years.

The actress, who spent vacations there with her family, converted what was once a ballroom into a TV room that connects to the dining area and kitchen. The floor in the room retains the original Burma teak. Most of the furniture in the house is included in the sale.

The actress, who spent vacations there with her family, converted what was once a ballroom into a TV room that connects to the dining area and kitchen. The floor in the room retains the original Burma teak. Most of the furniture in the house is included in the sale.

'There are so many places to sit and relax and read -- nooks and crannies where you get a different perspective of the house and the gardens,' said Ms. Anderson (pictured here in February). The house includes a cinema, office area and meditation loft.

'There are so many places to sit and relax and read -- nooks and crannies where you get a different perspective of the house and the gardens,' said Ms. Anderson (pictured here in February). The house includes a cinema, office area and meditation loft.

The home has a number of balconies that overlook the gardens, coconut plantation and jungle. The plunge pool is shown here. There's also a large sandpit for children. Plans have been drawn up for an outdoor swimming pool and a pool house.

The home has a number of balconies that overlook the gardens, coconut plantation and jungle. The plunge pool is shown here. There's also a large sandpit for children. Plans have been drawn up for an outdoor swimming pool and a pool house.

Ms. Anderson commissioned Spanish artist Nuria Lamsdorff to paint the ceiling of the TV room shown here, which includes lotuses in the design. 'When we first found the house, it had wooden lotuses carved on the front door, so I used that as the emblem of the house,' Ms. Anderson said.

Ms. Anderson commissioned Spanish artist Nuria Lamsdorff to paint the ceiling of the TV room shown here, which includes lotuses in the design. 'When we first found the house, it had wooden lotuses carved on the front door, so I used that as the emblem of the house,' Ms. Anderson said.